Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1887-02-03
A NORTH CAROLINA STORY.
Henry Mortimer Said to Have the
Mark of Cain.

from me MbrpAg ButLettn.
In 1874 man by the name of Morti-
mer moved to this county from Virginia.
He was a wealthy man, owning a guam
tity OF slaves, and said to be good man.
We wish we could say as much for the
mother. When the war broke out all of
his property was swept away-eyerything
he posse ssed, and be died Just before the
surrender, leaving his wife and two little
sons. The boys were about 8 aud 10
years of age when their father died, and
wItn proper care and training they would
have undoubtedly made good and useful
citizens, bus with such a mother, we
will ask, what better could have been ex-
pected OF them? She taught them to hate
every body, and that every body was their
enemy. she made them go armed, and
when one of them was fined for carrying
concealed weapons, she paid the fine i'm
posed, bought him pair of pistols and
told him to wear them buckled around
his waist, and use them when he thought
proper.
Henry and Edward grew up to be young
men. Henry had loaned his brother Ed
ward 500 or more, and often he had asked
his brother for IL, but was always put off
with some trtling excuse. He went over
to see his brother about It-they were
living on the same farm, but not in the
same hOuse-and he was heard to remark
before he left the house ''that ne would
nave his money or blood" and he got
blood.
They met in front of their mothers
house, and were standing within 10 feet
OF each other. Their mother, seeing them
standing their quarreling, walked out OF
the house and stood between them. The
conversation that took place between
them was never known. Suddenly there
rang out on the cool, quiet air the report
of pistol, and Edward Mortimer fell
dead at his brothers. feet, the ball having
penetrated his forehead, killing him in
stantly, and IN his hand was an open
knife. The mother was standing be-
tween them, and had her right hand up
TO her head, putting under her cap stray
lock of hair. When the pistol was fired
the ball took of the foreiinger of her right
hand. barely missing ner temple. Both
were married men and had families.
Henry Mortimer was arrested, tried and
acquitted, mis- mother being the only
witness in the case.
And now comes the strangest part of
this story-strangor than fiction. Henry
Mortimer is veritable modern Cain. He
has not HAIR on him from the crown OF
MS head to the soles OF his Ieet. We have
seen and talked with him, and know
MHtEeOl VIC SptsAhs IAu 10 dUDuL Blk anu
a half feet nigh; very stout; conyerses
splendidly, although somewhat reticent
i'll bis manner at first appearance. Shortly
after he was acquitted, and lust after he
retired, which was between 8 and 10
O'Clock, he was visited by his dead
brother. He could see and hear him, but
ne himself could not move or speak. lie
lay as il dead in u passive state. lie had
beautiful auburn hair aud beard, which
the second time, and reached out his
skeleton arm and bony FINGERS and com
menced plucBng his hair, one by
one from bis head, then his
eyebrows, eyoil5hes, beard, and
50 on. until he had plucked
every hair OIL his entire body. 1t was not
done in one night, but was kept mp from
night to night for about three mOnths.
ie was wanderer on the earth, and
travels at night. lie is the greatest Gu
r.osIty we have ever seen. He has the
supDaEpf mark OF Cain.